Mets and Yankees have expressed interest in Yadier Molina

The Mets and the Yankees have contacted Yadier Molina‘s camp to express interest in the veteran wide receiver, reports MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). The Cardinals icon has also heard from at least three other people, per Heyman.

It’s no surprise that either club in New York is at least exploring the possibility of bringing Molina, 38, into the fold. As reported here at MLBTR last week, signing Molina would be a major narrative shift in the Bronx, where Gary SanchezDefensive struggles and prolific strikeout rates have drawn the wrath of many fans. Molina, of course, is a generational defenseman in his role and still has some of the best bat-to-ball skills in baseball (13.5% take-out rate in 2020).

As for the Mets, they have often been connected to JT Realmuto since it became clear that Steve Cohen would buy the club from the Wilpon family. Wilson ramos is a free agent, leaving Tomas nido at the top of the team depth chart behind the dish. For a club with immediate playoff aspirations under a new owner, that’s not enough. Molina would be a more affordable option than Realmuto, leaving more resources available to pursue other free agents and top business goals (e.g. George springer, Trevor Bauer, Francisco Lindor). Catch coming out of the White Sox James mccann also stands out as a younger alternative.

Agent Melvin Roman told Heyman a few weeks ago that he was looking for a two-year deal for Molina, and Roman told MLB.com’s Jon Morosi last week that they heard from at least three clubs in the – beyond the Cardinals. At this point, there is no reason to call a club other than Saint-Louis as a favorite, as the Cards clearly have the greatest motivation to keep Molina until the end of her career. The overt interest from other clubs – especially the large organizations in the New York market – will only increase pressure from fans to see a deal come to fruition, although at this point it is not clear. that none of the teams that have expressed interest have shown a willingness to offer the two-year term sought by Molina and Roman.